Come down to join in the fun at the Rock Our Blocks party

If you are living in Ang Mo Kio or Hougang, make time to party today and tomorrow.

It is happening at Block 648A, Hougang Avenue 8, Ci Yuan Sports Park from 11am to 7pm.

Yours will be the first of 17 Rock Our Blocks parties at HDB estates islandwide.

Each two-day party will feature live acoustic music, DJs spinning dance tunes, unique games and contemporary cuisine.

Mr Aaron Lee, 19, an Hougang resident, said: "I hope I'll get to know my neighbours better at the parties.

"The programmes and food also seem interesting and I'll probably go with my family."

Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Darryl David will join residents for tomorrow's party. Mr David, who is also adviser to the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang grassroots organisations, said: "I hope there will be a good turnout at the event and that residents will have a meaningful experience.

"The block parties are wonderful opportunities for residents to come together and to stay strong and united.

BUILDING TIES

"The better we understand our neighbours, the stronger our social fabric and communities."

The parties will be held at 16 other locations in the heartland, over selected weekends in the coming months.

The Rock Our Blocks parties are organised by People's Association (PA) Panel of Activists for Community Engagement (Pace) and The New Paper.

Residents can expect attractions such as a delectable choice of food from 23 vendors, most of which are unique, or buy local lifestyle products.

Visitors can join open mic sessions on stage and appreciate music by local talent and DJs such as DJ Senter.

Mr Gardi Bandi, 39, owner of The Ugly Duckling, one of the parties' vendors, said: "As a local business, we want to support local events. It is our first time selling in a heartland location."

Residents can also learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first-aid skills.

The first 1,000 residents to complete the CPR exercise and first-aid awareness programmes will receive "harmony packs", which include celebratory postcards and postboxes for neighbours to write messages to one another. (See report .)

They will also get a 10 per cent discount voucher for any food stall at the party.